Nigel Groome Studentship: Investigating The Role of Non-coding RNAs in Patient Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumour Cells, Extracellular Vesicles and Blood Samples and Their Function in Cancer Development

3 Year, full-time funded PhD Studentship    

Eligibility: Home UK/EU and International applicants

Bursary p.a.: Bursary equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (current 2024/25 bursary rate is £19,237)

Fees and Bench fees: will be met by the University for the 3 years of the funded Studentship. Visa and associated costs are not funded. International applicants can visit https://www.brookes.ac.uk/students/isat/ for further information.

Closing date: Friday 17th January 2025 – Midday

Start Date: September / October 2025

Project Title: Nigel Groome Studentship: Investigating the role of non-coding RNAs in patient pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour cells, extracellular vesicles and blood samples and their function in cancer development

Requirements:

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification. EU Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.    

Project Description:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important biological molecules for regulating gene transcription, including gene regulation in cancerous cells. One cancer in which miRNAs are poorly understood are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs). Currently, there is a clinically unmet need to improve PNET screening and diagnosis, as well as identify novel biological pathways that could be medically targeted, as patients are commonly diagnosed once metastasis has occurred. Therefore, this project combines computational analysis and wet lab biology to identify the key miRNAs present in PNETs, map their associated biological pathways, and determine if they could be biomarkers of disease. To do this miRNA expression will be examined in clinically derived PNET cell lines, extracellular vesicles extracted from patient blood samples and supporting online studies. Genomic tools will also be used to investigate the expression of key proteins measured after manipulation of miRNA levels in PNET.    

Dr Kate Lines works internationally on PNET and as primary laboratory supervisor will provide training in many techniques, including cell culture, drug treatments, proliferation assays, apoptosis assays and genomic manipulation tools. Dr Priya Samuel will support the clinical aspects of the project, and Dr Ryan Pink in the genomics and computational aspects. The student will, therefore, benefit from the expertise of three supervisors with extensive cancer biology experience, as well as the facilities available through Oxford Brookes Bioimaging and Genomics Centres. The student will also become part of the Cancer Lab Group, consisting of >5 research groups and 7 PhD students, receiving training and support.

Application process: Please contact hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk for details of how to apply via the above ‘Apply’ button.

Director of Studies: Dr Ryan Pink

Supervisors: Dr Kate Lines, Dr Priya Samuel

Project Contact: Dr Kate Lines klines@brookes.ac.uk

Contact hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk with any queries.

This project is advertised on a competitive basis alongside other current Nigel Groome PhD studentship advertisements for School of Biological and Medical Sciences projects. Part time MPhil/PhD study will be exceptionally considered.

Advert information